Families struggling with funeral costs could be entitled to help from the Government to pay for 'necessary costs', but the research found that the support offered is inadequate.

Funeral director’s fees, a coffin, hearse and collection and care of the deceased are not seen as 'necessary costs' by the Government, and only up to £700 is offered to help bereaved families cover costs.

Royal London’s funeral cost expert Louise Eaton-Terry said: “High funeral costs have left many families taking on a mountain of debt, with our research showing a huge increase in the amount being borrowed by the bereaved over the last five years.

"More support needs to be offered to families struggling to pay for funeral costs, and as a result being forced into debt.

“The funeral payment is seriously lacking, and it’s shocking that the government do not consider funeral director’s fees and a coffin to be a 'necessary' cost.

"We want the social fund to cover the cost of a basic funeral, as no one should have to struggle to give their loved ones a decent send-off.”

The 2018 Royal London National Funeral Cost Index reveals the average cost of a funeral UK-wide is £3,757, with costs having stabilised this year (£3,784 in 2017).

London has consistently been the most expensive region for a funeral. Northern Ireland remains the least expensive, with a funeral in Belfast costing an average of £2,950.

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